Take too long for me to update… I'm sorry guys. I disappointed you all too many times. TT I can't write faster as I had PMR coming soon. (I'm from Malaysia) it's a big exam and I'm dead if I didn't pass it. Damn the exam. It's not like there's anyone going to ask questions in public. Shannaro!

Chapter 8

Bird's chirping could be heard. Sakura shifted slightly, feeling someone tugged on her blanket. She moaned and shifted to her side. The tugging still won't stop. Sakura twitched in her sleep and pulled the blanket up to her head, muttering something.

"Sakura! Wake up you big forehead!" and with that Sakura jerked a pillow at the person. The person was able to dodge it with the pillow sent flying. Ino sweatdropped, "What'd ya do that for!" she yelled. Sakura rolled her eyes, "Good morning to you too Ino…" she sat up and stretched. Ino hmphed and exited the room. Sakura raked her delicate fingers through her silky pink hair.

"Breakfast is ready! Get ready FAST big forehead!" Sakura heard Ino yelled from downstairs. Sakura sighed and entered the bathroom. She got out 15 minutes later. Fast? Don't think so… Sakura is not the type who would care so much about her looks. 'Only Ino does…' Sakura rolled her eyes. 'Hell yeah!' inner Sakura laughed. She wore a dark blue mesh with a white vest and black pants with chains that contains ninja weapons. Sakura brushed her hair and went downstairs.

At the kitchen table. Ino waved to Sakura that was walking down the stairs. Ino sat with Shikamaru and Sasuke sat beside him. Tenten and Lee sat together with Gaara beside Lee. Naruto and Hinata sat together. Neji sat alone. Not for long. Sakura glared at the seat beside Neji as if it was booby trapped. Ino rolled her cerulean eyes and dragged Sakura to sit beside Neji. Sakura gave Ino a glare saying You-did-this-on-purpose and Ino responded by giving the So-what-if-i-did grin.

They had pancakes and rice balls. All the while Sakura kept glaring at Ino meaning I'm-so-going-to-get-you-later. Ino shook it off with a grin. "I'm done…" Sakura said and turned towards Hinata, "Thanks for the hospitality Hinata-chan" Sakura smiled with Hinata returning it. Sakura then headed towards the door when… "Where do YOU think you're going?" Ino asked.

'I knew this would come… Dammit…' Sakura thought. 'Get the hell outta here! Run for your friggin lives!' inner Sakura said dramatically while putting on a black robe. 'What is that for?' Sakura asked. 'Just thought might disguise our self and make a run for it…' inner Sakura shrugged. Sakura sweatdropped, 'I'M on the outside and YOU'RE in the inside…' Sakura said. Inner Sakura thought for a while, 'You're right… Oh well… Good luck mate!' inner Sakura threw the robe away and disappeared. 'I wonder how I got a stupid inner…' Sakura sighed.

"Oi? OI! Sakura!" Ino was already in front of her and waving her hand furiously at her face. "I need to go…" Sakura said and tried going pass Ino but to avail. "Oh no you don't…" Ino warned and grinned. Then all the girls chorused together, exceptional of Sakura, "We're going SHOPPING!" Sakura sighed, 'Great… Just great…' The boys were all rolling their eyes.

Few moments later.

Sakura is twitching madly. "Oooo! This one, this one!" Ino squealed. "Kawaii!" Hinata squealed. Tenten grinned. Ino shoved the clothes into Sakura's arms and pushed her into the dressing room. Sakura sighed heavily and changed into whatever Ino chose. 'This is stupid…' she thought and rolled her eyes at the image of her wearing a violet dress that went down her thigh with trimmings at the hem. She got out and Ino eyed Sakura's appearance.

Ino shook her head and sighed, "Nope…" she said. Tenten and Hinata were shaking their head in disapproval. Sakura twitched more madly. Ino's eyes brightened, "This one. For sure!" she squealed. Hinata and Tenten were choosing their own dress. Sakura is merely day dreaming until Ino brought her back with shoving few pairs of clothes into her arms, again. "Now make sure you try all those!" Ino said.

Sakura sighed and followed what Ino said. For another time, another time, and another time and then… "INO! Don't you need to buy yours?" Sakura asked, controlling herself from bursting. Ino stared at Sakura and shrugged, then diverting back to the clothes. Sakura twitched. She definitely doesn't want to be treated like a dressing doll. Ino was about to hand her another clothes, "Ino… I don't want to be a dressing doll… Besides I think the boys are practically sleeping right now…" Sakura motioned at the boys. Ino shrugged without glancing.

Sakura frowned and she glanced at the boys. Sakura grinned. She called for the girls, "Ino! Tenten! Hinata!" she called. They looked at her and saw Sakura pointing at the boys, grinning. They blinked and looked at the boys. Their faces paled, and then turned red. Sakura was about to say something but the girls are gone. She laughed, 'Their face was priceless!' 'Yeah! I wonder what they will do now?' inner Sakura grinned.

At the boys' side. "Back off!" Ino hissed, clinging to Shikamaru's arm. Tenten was glaring at the girls in front of Lee. Hinata was tugging on Naruto's sleeve. Sakura was about to drop on the floor and laugh like an idiot. Gaara, Sasuke and Neji was practically glaring the girls crowding them thinking they would be scared and leave them alone. But, "Kyaaah! Sasuke-kun is so cool!" a girl yelled. "Gaara-sama is so good looking…" a girl sighs dreamily. "Neji-kun looked nicer!" a girl retorted.

Sakura smirked at the twitching boys. She saw Neji and Gaara shot her a help-me look while Sasuke was used to it. Sakura smiled at them meaning you-deserves-it-so-save-yourself. And so they struggled to get away from the crazed fan girls.

They were able to get away from the fan girls with Ino, Tenten and Hinata's help. Sakura approached them seeing that it's save already. Gaara and Neji were glaring at Sakura. Sakura shrugged. Ino was ranting to Shikamaru about never going near those girls while Tenten was also doing the same. "So troublesome…" Shikamaru said and Ino twitched. Ino was about to scold him again, Sakura sighed and wanted to stop Ino but…

"SAKURA-SAN!" a feminine voice called. Sakura whipped around and saw Shizune ran to her. The others were staring at Shizune. Shizune panted, Sakura waited patiently. "Sakura-san… Tsunade-sama summoned you…" Shizune said. Sakura's expression turned to serious and nodded. "Tsunade-sama also requested for Gaara-sama and Neji-san" Shizune said looking at Neji and Gaara who nodded in return.

Sakura dashed to Tsunade's office followed by Gaara and Neji. While back at Shizune, "How come I don't get to go on missions?" Naruto sulked. Hinata patted his back. Shizune smiled. "Ne… Shizune-san, what's it about? You looked so rushed…" Ino asked. Shizune shrugged, "I don't know either… Tsunade-sama just asked me to her as soon as possible…" she said. "This must be troublesome…" Shikamaru sighed. Ino looked worried, 'Sakura… I hope it's not about that…' she thought.

While at the Hokage's office.

"Tsunade-sama" Gaara, Sakura and Neji bowed in respect. Tsunade nodded. Sakura stared at her sensei and asked, "Tsunade-shishou…" but was cut off by Tsunade's nod. "Sakura… We believe that you might be in danger…" Tsunade said clasping her hands in front of her face. Sakura stiffened. "And what kind of danger Tsunade-sama?" Neji asked. "We believe that someone is trying to approach Sakura" Tsunade replied. Gaara nodded, "So you wanted me and Neji to watch her…" he said.

Tsunade sighed and nodded again, "Since that Neji is the top ANBU and Gaara is the Kazekage…" she explained. Gaara nodded. "Sorry Gaara. It seems that you had to delay your return to Suna…" Tsunade apologized. Gaara shrugged. "Tsunade-sama… Is it okay just to be two of us?" Neji asked. "We don't want to drag suspicions…" Tsunade said.

"Neji, Gaara. You two will have to guard Sakura at all cost" Tsunade said. "You two are needed to be with Sakura the whole time. Meaning you three will live together until this mission is over… Both of you will move into Sakura's in an hour" Tsunade said. Tsunade looked at her apprentice with a hint of worried ness in her eyes, "Neji and Gaara you two are dismissed…" she said. Neji and Gaara looked and each other then bowed before they exit the room. As soon as they exited the room Tsunade walked towards Sakura.

"Sakura… I need to tell you something…" Tsunade said. Sakura looked up to her sensei, waiting her sensei to talk.

'Why would people wanted to do with Sakura?' Neji asked himself. 'She did tell you about her strange dream…' inner Neji said. 'Oh not you again!' Neji exclaimed. 'Yeah wows aren't you happy to see me…' inner Neji said sarcastically. 'Shut up…' Neji growled slightly. 'Whatever… I have a bad feeling about this…' inner Neji said. 'I know… I need to arrange things to move into Sakura's house…' Neji almost blushed, ALMOST, at the thought of them living together. 'No! Only for mission' Neji retorted. 'Riiiiight…' inner Neji taunted. Neji glared at his inner… again. ()

---------------------------------------------------End Chapter 8----------------------------------------------------------

Ugh… Yeah next chapter is about Sakura's past. Remember when Tsunade needs to talk to Sakura? Yeah that… Okay then. Once again, I'm terribly sorry for the soooo long update yeah… I hope it won't affect the readers much. TT Gomen ne…!